Big Sur Destination Stewardship Project (DSP)

Like many iconic global destinations, Big Sur’s existing infrastructure is strained beyond capacity by a significant surge in visitation. At the same time, agencies representing Monterey County, California State and U.S. Federal Government are reducing management resources critical to the health and safety of Big Sur’s visitors and residents.

The good news is that this escalating trend can be met head on.

Countries such as Bhutan, Iceland and Peru have developed destination stewardship plans that identify challenges and provide solutions for the impacts of visitation.  Solutions strive to reach a balance between public access, environmental protection, successful business strategies and a sustainable quality of life for the resident population.

The California Coastal Act and our own Big Sur Land Use Plan espouse the ethos of balance, but neither of those foundational documents provide guidance on how to achieve that goal. A Big Sur Destination Stewardship Plan could be the tool that builds a future reflective of our shared vision of economic prosperity, environmental health, enhanced visitor experience and the well-being of the residents who inhabit Big Sur.

This planning process aims to bring together county, state and federal jurisdictional stakeholders, as well as representatives from the local business community, emergency first responders, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental nonprofits and the resident community.  The effort to address this growing imbalance in our community will require curiosity, reliable data, a collaborative spirit and a willingness to innovate.

The Board of Directors of Community Association of Big Sur, along with our knowledgeable Advisory Board Members researched successful DSPs in other communities and we believe that we have been able to engage the best team on the planet for this task.

Costas Christ (Costas Christ | Beyond Green Travel) is one of the founders of the eco-tourism movement and is considered to be the foremost authority on Destination Stewardship Plans. Costas deeply believes that the powerful opportunities for prosperity inherent in the tourism industry can dovetail seamlessly with the needs of a community inhabiting a fragile environment. Beyond Green Travel has an impressive list of communities and countries that have benefitted from their leadership and insight in solving for destination management challenges.

Address

info@CABigSur.org

PO Box 59 Big Sur,
CA 93920

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